Philips Fidelio M1BT headphones gain aptX Bluetooth
Philips has added high quality aptX Bluetooth to its Fidelio M1 over-ear headphones
Philips may be in the process of selling off its audio unit, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t plenty of new products announced at IFA this week. Chief among them were a new range of updated Fidelio headphones, led by the M1BT.
A Bluetooth variant of the excellent Fidelio M1 on-ear headphones, the M1BT retains the same 40mm neodymium closed cup drivers as the M1 to deliver the “Philips sound signature” we’re told customers demand from the Fidelio brand.
The closed driver design should mean the M1BTs can be taken on the move without disturbing your fellow travelers, and with Bluetooth 4.0 on board they shouldn’t excessively drain your smartphone battery either. High quality aptX Bluetooth audio is also included, providing less compression than typical a2dp streaming if your smartphone or tablet supports it.
On-ear controls let you adjust volume and change tracks without reaching for your phone, and there’s even a 3.5mm audio jack in case you run out of battery. You can also switch to the wired connection if you want to make calls, as the bundled cable includes an in-line microphone.
We’re told the M1BTs are already available to buy in Europe for €249 RRP, and should be making their way to the UK soon. We can’t wait to give them a listen and see if they match the M1 for audio quality, even over Bluetooth.
At the slightly higher end, the revamped Fidelio L2 over-ears use a semi-open back driver design for greater audio definition. The 40mm neodymium drivers are themselves hand paired by Philips sound engineers to ensure the best possible audio balance. The Fidelio L2 is based on the crossover Fidelio L1, which was built for both in-home and outdoor listening, so we expect the new model to at least match it in terms of sound quality.
We already think the new model has the edge in terms of looks, thanks to a redesigned headband and ear cups which feature red stitching on black leather. It’s sure to appeal to the Beats generation, but is subtle enough not to draw too much attention when wearing them outside.
The Fidelio L2s are due to go on sale in September, although we don’t yet have a confirmed price. With John Lewis still selling the old model for £230, we don’t expect you’ll get much change from £250. Either way, we can’t wait to give them a listen.